Which of the following acids is considered the strongest?

When determining the strength of acids, it is essential to consider their degree of ionization in water and their ability to donate protons (H⁺ ions). In this case, sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) is classified as a strong acid because it completely dissociates in water, releasing more than one proton.

H₂SO₄ has two dissociation steps: the first step is complete, meaning it fully ionizes to produce H⁺ and HSO₄⁻ ions. The second step, where HSO₄⁻ can further dissociate into H⁺ and SO₄²⁻, also contributes to the overall acidity, although it is not completely ionized. The cumulative effect of these dissociations results in a higher concentration of H⁺ ions compared to the other acids listed.

In comparison, hydrochloric acid (HCl) also dissociates completely, but it only releases one hydrogen ion per molecule, making it less potent than sulfuric acid in terms of proton availability. Nitric acid (HNO₃) is another strong acid, which also fully ionizes, but it does not have the additional dissociation step that contributes to H₂SO₄'s effective